Liverpool add Luis Alberto to list of impending deals

Liverpool are close to wrapping up a £6 million deal for Sevilla forward Luis Alberto, ESPN understands.

The 20-year-old, who has just completed a season on loan with Barcelona's B team, is one of a number of transfer targets for manager Brendan Rodgers. A Spain Under-21 international, Luis Alberto can play as a withdrawn centre-forward or an attacking midfielder.

His prospects of moving to Anfield increased last week after Barcelona decided not to take up their option to sign him permanently at the end of his loan stint.

The deal is moving towards a conclusion even though Monchi, Sevilla's director of football, publicly rejected an initial offer of around £5.5 million on Tuesday. Liverpool are confident that negotiations to sign the forward will be completed by the end of this week as they continue to pursue other players.

A £7.7 million deal to bring in striker Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo was agreed in principle last week subject to paperwork being completed, and the loose ends of that transfer are expected to be tidied up within the next couple of days.

Rodgers remains keen to make a move for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who would be available for around £20 million, and Sporting Lisbon central defender Tiago Ilori.

A deal for Porto's Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu is also a possibility, but Liverpool will have to be patient.

The 21-year-old has one year left on his contract at Estadio do Dragao, and has indicated that he wishes to leave, but Porto do not need to sell him urgently, and are likely to hold out for more than £3 million - the fee Liverpool hoped would secure the transfer.